Microsoft word - dec 2013 synd.docx

PANJAB UNIVERSITY, CHANDIGARH
Minutes of the meeting of the SYNDICATE held on Thursday, 5th December 2013 at 5.00 p.m., in the Syndicate Room, Panjab University, Chandigarh. S. Gurdev Singh Ghuman Director Higher Education, Punjab Registrar Dr. Dinesh Talwar, Professor Nandita Singh, Shri Satish Kumar and Shri Sandeep Hans, Director Higher Education, U.T. Chandigarh could not attend the meeting. The Vice-Chancellor said, “With a deep sense of sorrow, I Condolence
would like to inform the House about the sad demise of – Resolution
Professor S.P. Vij, former Chairperson, Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, on 20th October 2013. Ms. Ankurita Tripathi, 2nd Year student of B.D.S. at Dr. Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences & Hospital, who died on 29th November 2013. We pray to the Almighty to give peace to the departed souls in Heaven and strength & courage to the members of the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss.”
The Syndicate expressed its sorrow and grief over the
passing away of Professor S.P. Vij and Ms. Ankurita Tripathi,
and observed two minutes silence, all standing, to pay
homage to the departed souls.

RESOLVED: That a copy of the above Resolution be sent
to the members of the bereaved families. Syndicate Proceedings dated 5th December 2013 Vice-Chancellor’s
The Vice-Chancellor said, “I am happy to inform the Statement
Panjab University has been placed at the 13th position in the first ever rankings for Universities in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) plus the 17 other emerging economies of the World by the Times Higher Education Magazine published on December 4, 2013. The Times Higher Education BRICS & Emerging Economies Rankings 2014 employ the same methodology as the 2013-14 World University Rankings, they draw on the world’s largest academic reputation survey (more than 10,000 academics were polled in 2013 and almost 60,000 have been involved since 2010). Fifty million citations analysed and compared with the world average from the same field, arts, humanities and social sciences placed on an equal footing with science. Thirteen indicators across five areas have been taken into account making this the only world rankings to examine all the core missions of the modern global university-research, teaching, knowledge transfer and international activity. Indian institutions make up 10 per cent of the list including nine top 50 places. India’s institutions are led by Panjab University. The specialist Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) take up its next six places, led by IIT Kharagpur (30th), Aligarh Muslim University is 50th and Jawaharlal Nehru University is 57th. The Syndicate congratulated Professor Arun
Kumar Grover, Vice-Chancellor, all the teachers,
non-teachers,
research
scholars
students, including previous Vice-Chancellor
and alumni, who were associated with the
University in achieving this position ‘by
thumping of desks’.
The High Energy Physics Group (Prof. J.B. Singh, Dr Vipin Bhatnagar, Dr Ashok Kumar and Dr J.S. Shahi) of Physics Department has been awarded the DST Project entitled “R&D Efforts Universities Group for INO project”. The total sanctioned grant is Rs.1.47 Crores and tenure of the project is upto 31.03.2018. The aim of the project is to actively participate in the indigenous India based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project in Theni District in Tamil Nadu; Professor Jaspal Kaur Kaang, Chairperson of the Deptt. of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies and Fellow, P.U., Senate, has been honoured with Bibi Jasmer Kaur Kishanpuri Award on 1st December 2013 by Puaadhi Punjabi Sath, SAS Nagar; Dr R.P.S. Josh, Postgraduate Government College for Syndicate Proceedings dated 5th December 2013 Senate/Syndicate,has received Shiksha Bhushan Rashtriya Samman 2013. The award was given by Rashtriya Sahitya Kala Aur Sanskriti Parishad, Haldighati, Rajasthan; Dr M.C. Sidhu, Assistant Professor, Deptt. of Botany and Fellow, P.U. Senate, has been admitted as a Fellow of the Indian Botanical Society, India. He has received this honour for his contributions in the field of cytogenetic and plant breeding. Government of India, Ministry of Culture, New Delhi, has awarded Senior Fellowship 2011-12 to Dr Surinder Kumar Deweshwar of Department of Punjabi, Panjab University, Chandigarh, in the field of Punjabi Literature, based on the proposal submitted by him for a period of two years w.e.f. 1-11-2013. The value of the Fellowship will be Rs.20,000/- per month. Administrator’s Advisory Council, to advise the Chandigarh issues and policy matters affecting the Union Territory. Shri Satya Pal Jain, Syndic and Fellow Panjab University Department of English and Cultural Studies, have been included in the Administrator’s Advisory Council, to advise the Chandigarh Administration on developmental issues and policy matters affecting the Union Territory.” Shri Satya Pal Jain suggested that, if possible, an academic function/lecture should be organized to honour all those who really contributed in achieving this position as was done in holding the function recently to honour the retired non-teaching employees of the University. The Vice-Chancellor said that the commemoration of 150th Year of Higher Education is ending on 5th April 2014. Hopefully, the documentary of P.U. Heritage in the background of life and contribution of Professor Ruchi Ram Sahni would be ready by then. Referring to the suggestion made by Shri Satya Pal Jain, he said that whatever could be done, would be done to honour the persons who really contributed. Shri Ashok Goyal stated that he on behalf of the Syndicate overwhelmingly congratulates all sections of the University led by Professor Arun Kumar Grover. In fact, this is an achievement which writes the history of the University after independence. Earlier, they used to follow the IITs but now it is otherwise. Earlier, a question was raised as to how IITs were behind Panjab University but this ranking has confirmed that the previous ranking of Panjab University was right. He proposed that the felicitations of the Syndicate should also be extended to Dr. S.L. Goel, retired Professor of Public Administration and a former Syndicate Proceedings dated 5th December 2013 Fellow of Panjab University, who has been awarded with a prestigious award by the Indian Institute of Public Administration, on 18th October 2013 by their own Chancellor, Dr. Hamid Ansari, Vice-President of India. The Vice-Chancellor said that the citation score of published papers of Panjab University is even higher than Peking University and Tsinghua University of China, which have been ranked first and second respectively in the BRICS and emerging economies list. They should design their curriculum on the pattern of top Universities and provide the same atmosphere so that they could improve their rank and move closure to the first ranking Universities.
RESOLVED: That felicitations of the Syndicate be
Professor A.K. Grover, Vice-Chancellor, on his inclusion in the Administrator’s Advisory Council, to advise the Chandigarh Administration on developmental issues and policy matters affecting the Union Territory; Shri Satya Pal Jain, Syndic and Fellow Panjab University Department of English and Cultural Studies, on their inclusion in the Administrator’s Advisory Council, to advise the Chandigarh Administration on developmental issues and policy matters affecting the Union Territory; Professor J.B. Singh, Dr. Vipin Bhatnagar, Dr. Ashok Kumar and Dr. J.S. Shahi (The High Energy Physics Group) of Department of Physics, on having been awarded the DST Project entitled “R&D Efforts by Universities Group for INO project”; Department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies and Fellow Panjab University, on her having been honoured with ‘Bibi Jasmer Kaur Kishanpuri Award’; Dr. R.P.S. Josh, Postgraduate Government College for Girls, Sector 42, Chandigarh, and Syndic & Fellow, Panjab University, on receiving Shiksha Bhushan Rashtriya Samman 2013; Dr. M.C. Sidhu, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany and Fellow, Panjab University, on his admission as a Fellow of the Indian Botanical Society, India Dr. Surinder Kumar Deweshwar, Department of Punjabi, Panjab University, on his having been awarded Senior Fellowship 2011-12 by the Government of India, Ministry of Culture, New Delhi; and Syndicate Proceedings dated 5th December 2013 Administration and a former Fellow of Panjab University, on his having been awarded a prestigious award by the Indian Institute of Public Administration Vice-President of India and Chancellor, Panjab University. After the decisions on the Vice-Chancellor’s statement were taken, the members started general discussion. Professor Keshav Malhotra thanked the Vice- Chancellor for releasing 8% Dearness Allowance (DA) to the University employees on the pattern of U.T. Administration as a Diwali Gift. He was also grateful to the Finance & Development Officer in making quick payment of arrear on account of DA. He said that since the U.T. Administration has now released the 10% DA due from 1st July 2013 to its employees, the same should also be released to the University employees as a New Year Gift and the payment of the same should be made as soon as the grant is received. Shri Ashok Goyal stated that the Syndicate had already taken a decision to delink payment of D.A. from Punjab Government and the same should be followed.
RESOLVED: That the instalment of Dearness
Allowance (DA) @ 10% released by the Central Government to its employees w.e.f. 01.07.2013, be released/paid to the University employees as and when the grant is received, in anticipation of the announcement of release of the said DA instalment by Punjab Government and Board of Finance on the analogy of U.T. Administration. Shri Satya Pal Jain urged the Vice-Chancellor to throw some light on the incident of unfortunate demise of one of the 2nd Year B.D.S. student of Dr. Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences & Hospital recently. Explaining the unfortunate demise of Ms. Ankurita Tripathi, 2nd Year student of B.D.S. at Dr. Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences & Hospital, the Vice-Chancellor said that they had met the parents of the students. The father of the student was pacified but the mother remained inconsolable. The Dean Student Welfare was closely in touch with the parents and the Institution. He further stated that to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future, the University had already constituted a Grievance Committee as a safety measure which would recommend safety mechanism and the provision/s for incorporation in the Regulations for Professional Courses enabling the students to get degrees in more number of years than prescribed. They would see that those who got the admission to the professional courses complete the degree. Syndicate Proceedings dated 5th December 2013 Conferment
D.Litt. 2.
Considered the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor that Professor Gurdial Singh, the eminent writer from Punjab, be (Honoris
Causa)
on honoured with the degree of D. Litt. (honoris causa) of Panjab
Professor Gurdial Singh, University.
an eminent writer from
1. The Section 23 of the Panjab University “Where the Vice-Chancellor and not less than two-thirds of the other members recommend that an honorary degree be conferred on any person on the ground that he is, in their opinion, by reason of eminent position and attainments, a fit and proper person to receive such a degree and where their recommendation is supported by not less than two-thirds of the Fellows present at a meeting of the Senate and is confirmed by the Chancellor, the Senate may confer on such person the honorary degree so recommended without requiring him to undergo any examination.” 2. Minutes of the Faculty of Languages dated 30.10.2013 enclosed (Appendix-I).
enclosed (Appendix-I).
Shri Ashok Goyal stated that they are proud to have Professor Gurdial Singh on the Senate of this University. In fact, it is a good gesture on the part of the Vice-Chancellor to honour a person like Professor Gurdial Singh. He, however, pointed out that there are certain cases pending for consideration towards award of status of Professor Emeritus. He pleaded that those cases should be expedited. Professor Keshav Malhotra said that they are so much impressed, touched and proud also that Professor Gurdial Singh has been associated with the Panjab University. He would be an Ambassador. He added that Professor Gurdial Singh had delivered a very good lecture in the function recently organized to commemorate 150th Year of Higher Education in the memory of Professor Ruchi Ram Sahni. The Vice-Chancellor said that the University had already constituted an Advisory Committee comprising Professor S.S. Johl, Professor R.P. Bambah, Professor D.V.S. Jain, Professor B.N. Goswami and Professor S.V. Kessar. The next meeting of the Advisory Committee would be held soon.
RESOLVED: That, in accordance with Section 23 of P.U.
Act at page 9 of Panjab University Calendar, Volume I, 2007, it be recommended to Senate and the Chancellor that honorary degree of Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) (Honoris Causa) be conferred on Professor Gurdial Singh, the eminent writer from Punjab, on the ground that he, in the opinion of the Syndicate, by reasons of his eminent position and attainments, is a fit and proper person to Syndicate Proceedings dated 5th December 2013 receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) (Honoris Causa) of Panjab University. Award of degree of
Considered reports of examiners of certain candidates on Doctor of Philosophy
the theses, including viva-voce reports, for the award of degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). RESOLVED: That the degree of Doctor of Philosophy be
awarded to the following candidates in the Faculty and subject noted against each: Name of the Candidate
Faculty/
Title of Thesis
PALAEONTOLOGICAL, BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC AND SEDIMENTOLOGICAL STUDIES Tehsil- Julana District- Jind Haryana-126102 Management & AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF SELECTED OCCUPATIONAL ERGONOMICS IN WOOLEN INDUSTRIES Syndicate Proceedings dated 5th December 2013 Name of the Candidate
Faculty/
Title of Thesis
Management & MANAGEMENT: A STUDY OF INDIAN NON- ESTABLISHMENT OF ITS STRUCTURE-PROPERTY CORRELATION P.O. & Teh. Sarkaghat District Mandi (H.P.) BAMBOOS DURING AGEING, CANNING AND FERMENTATION SKILLS OF CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITY Syndicate Proceedings dated 5th December 2013 Name of the Candidate
Faculty/
Title of Thesis
Engineering & REMOVAL OF SOME HEAVY METAL IONS ANTI-INFALAMMATORY PREPARATIONS OF GUGGULU Management & STOCK MARKETS OF BRIC ECONOMIES Syndicate Proceedings dated 5th December 2013 Name of the Candidate
Faculty/
Title of Thesis
Tola Bhingari Bazar Distt. Deoria (U.P.) Arising out of the above, Professor Shelley Walia stated that the Syndicate had never rejected any Ph.D. thesis in the past. In the University of Oxford, whenever the viva of the candidate was held/conducted, the very next day the Registrar issues Provisional Certificate to the candidate concerned. He proposed that once the viva of the candidate is conducted the Ph.D. degree should be deemed to be approved by way of Resolution unless by that time the Registrar receives the notice in writing from any person regarding his objection to the award of degree to the candidate concerned. If they did this, it would be quite an important innovation and it would also save a lot of papers and energy as well. Shri Satya Pal Jain stated that, earlier, he had also proposed this proposal because they had never rejected any report of the examiner. Therefore, the proposal made by Professor Shelley Walia should be examined. In the meanwhile, they should also explore the possibility of delegating this power of the Syndicate to the Vice-Chancellor. Further, the last date for submission of application for various teaching positions recently advertised by the University is 24th December 2013 and the candidate whose viva had been conducted, but due to non-convening of the meeting of the Syndicate, they would be the sufferers. He suggested that if there is no possibility of convening the meeting of the Syndicate by 24th December, the Vice-Chancellor should be authorized to approve award of Ph.D. degrees to the candidates, on behalf of the Syndicate, in the cases where the viva have been conducted and found to be satisfactory. Syndicate Proceedings dated 5th December 2013 Dr. I.S. Sandhu said that if maximum number of candidates were going to be benefitted, the Vice-Chancellor should be authorized. The Vice-Chancellor said that the Bombay University issues a provisional Certificate one day after the conduct of viva voce. Shri Ashok Goyal stated that, in fact, the proposal given by Professor Shelley Walia that in case no objection is received by a stipulated date would take care of the problem to be faced by certain candidates. The degree would be deemed to have been awarded irrespective of the meeting of the Syndicate. However, there are certain Regulations which may come in the way of such a decision and that was the reason why every year the Syndicate takes a decision to award the degree just before the holding of Convocation. Since the Syndicate had power to make rules, it might frame a Rule for awarding provisional degrees after the conduct of the Ph.D. viva which is not in contravention to the Regulation/s. In the meantime, they need to amend the Regulations to get the idea given by Professor Shelley Walia implemented and then there would be no problem at all.
RESOLVED: That the Vice-Chancellor, be authorized to
approve award of Ph.D. degrees to the candidates, on behalf of the Syndicate, in the cases where the viva have been conducted upto 23rd December 2013 and found to be satisfactory. Professor Keshav Malhotra stated that another meeting of the Syndicate should be convened so that the important items, e.g., case of SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur, confirmation and promotion cases, etc. are taken up. In fact, the December meeting of the Syndicate is usually held to consider the recommendations of the Board of Finance pertaining to half yearly accounts of the University, including supplementary grants. Shri Ashok Goyal stated that usually the meeting of the Board of Finance took place in the month of October/November and thereafter its recommendations are placed before the Syndicate and then before the Senate in its December meeting. But somehow, the meeting of the Board of Finance had not taken place and only few items have been placed before the Syndicate. Thus, the budget items would be taken in the month of March. In the meeting of the Board of Finance held in October/November, half yearly accounts (from 1st April to 30th September), the revised estimates and practical difficulties relating to finances were discussed and accordingly supplementary grants were sought from the Governments. The half yearly accounts also facilitated preparation of next year’s budget. Perhaps the holding of the meeting of Board of Finance has been discontinued because the Punjab Government started giving fixed grant. Now, they prepared the estimates by projecting imaginary figures by showing 10% increase every year, which earlier used to be based on real figures. Therefore, if it is possible, a meeting of the Syndicate should be called in the month of December. He had not seen institution at least private shop where there no half yearly/quarterly accounts are maintained. He, therefore, suggested that they should start with at least maintaining half yearly accounts which is mandated by the regulations of the Syndicate Proceedings dated 5th December 2013 University. As such, it should be done in the interest of the University and better management of the finances. Dr. Jagwant Singh stated that maintenance of half yearly accounts was something which is very essential. Therefore, they should do this exercise and seek supplementary grants from the governments for the University. The governments also prepare supplementary budgets. Keeping this all in view, the practice of holding the meeting of Board of Finance in the month of October/November should be reintroduced for assessment of their own resources and seeking additional grants. Shri Ashok Goyal stated that as pointed out, this exercise was done to assess additional requirements. The University had stopped preparation of half yearly accounts after the Punjab Government had started giving fixed grants. In fact half yearly accounts also helped them to reassess their resources and they decided in terms of re-appropriation accordingly. He reiterated that as per their regulation it is mandatory to have half yearly accounts Finance/Syndicate/ Senate by December. Even if it is an unintentional mistake, to be wiser, it should be corrected. Professor Keshav Malhotra stated that Shri Ashok Goyal and Dr. Jagwant Singh had rightly explained about the maintenance of half yearly accounts by the University. In fact, the corporate sector prepare their accounts statements quarterly. The logic behind this was to decide and control their finances according to their requirements. Wherever they were spending more they can reduce the expenditure in the next six months. The Vice-Chancellor said that he would come back to Naming of Girls Hostel 4.
Considered the proposal of Dean Student Welfare, and RESOLVED: That the newly constructed building, Girls
Hostel No.9, be named after the name of “Amrita Pritam”, Panjab University Alumnus. Routine and formal
The information contained in Item R-(i) on the agenda was
read out, viz. –
(i)
The Vice-Chancellor, in anticipation of the approval of the Syndicate/Senate, has approved the assignment of the following Fellows to the Faculties mentioned against their name: Syndicate Proceedings dated 5th December 2013 Arising out of this, Shri Satya Pal Jain was of the view that the power of the Senate to approve the assignment of Fellows to the Faculties should be delegated to the Vice-Chancellor because the ex-Officio members changes frequently. Though it was o.k. when the new Senate comes into force and the assignments are bulky. Shri Ashok Goyal said that though the approval in such cases is always done by the Vice-Chancellor and came to the Syndicate only for ratification. At this stage, the Vice-Chancellor stated that a few hours ago, he had received a letter from Professor R.P. Bambah, which reads as follows: “Dear Professor Grover, I am overwhelmed by the kindness of the Syndicate in recommending the award of an Honoris Causa Degree to me. I am very grateful for the affection and regard for me, implicit in this decision. However, as a sitting member of the Senate, I am not too comfortable about this award, and request the Syndicate, through you, to withdraw the recommendation from the Senate.” Shri Satya Pal Jain stated that Professor Bambah should be informed that his letter was read out to the members of the Syndicate and the Syndicate unanimously reiterated its earlier decision to recommend conferment of Degree (Honoris Causa) on Professor Bambah. This degree is not being conferred on him because he is a member of the Senate. Even if he was not a member of the Senate, this degree would have been conferred on him. Syndicate Proceedings dated 5th December 2013 Shri Ashok Goyal said that they should acknowledge the sentiments and good gesture shown by Professor R.P. Bambah and appreciate the concern shown by him. The Vice-Chancellor said that he requested Professor R.P. Bambah to withdraw his letter, but he prevailed upon him to respect his sentiments.
After some further discussion, it was unanimously –
RESOLVED: That the Syndicate acknowledged the
sentiments of Professor R.P. Bambah. However, the Syndicate reiterated its earlier decision that, in accordance with Section 23 at page 9 of Panjab University Calendar, Volume I, 2007, it be recommended to Senate and the Chancellor that honorary degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) be conferred on Professor R.P. Bambah, Padam Bhushan awardee, former President, Indian Science Congress and world renowned Mathematician, on the ground that he, in the opinion of the Syndicate, by reasons of his eminent position and attainments, is the most befitting person to receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) of Panjab University. Accordingly, Professor Bambah be requested and persuaded to accept this honour. At this stage, Professor Shelley Walia stated that the University has advertised a number of teaching positions and the candidates were desired to give reference letters. Some of the students were asking their Supervisors to write reference letters which was not desirable. In any case, if it is required, the reference letters should be sent to the Registrar directly and the same should be attached with the application forms of the candidates. The Vice-Chancellor said that it is not compulsory to attach any reference letter by the candidate with the application. However, if any such letter is available, it would be an additional input. Shri Ashok Goyal stated that though it is not compulsory to submit reference letter, it would definitely have impact at the time of interview. Therefore, the reference letters should be sought from the Supervisors directly and not through the candidate concerned. It was stated that the Supervisor/s may send the reference letter/s directly to the Registrar and the same would be attached with the application form of the candidate concerned. Professor Keshav Malhotra suggested that only short-listed candidates should be asked to send the reference letters.
The Vice-Chancellor said that the matter would be
considered for future.
Confirmed
Arun Kumar Grover
VICE-CHANCELLOR

Source: http://senatesyndicate.puchd.ac.in/updates/2013/syndicate-5-dec-2013.pdf